Cannabis users who cope with negative emotions showed the worst binge eating and all user profiles reported more binge eating while high | Research

The takeaway

Latent profile analysis of 435 cannabis users identified four subgroups, with all profiles reporting more binge eating symptoms while using cannabis and the "high-risk coping" profile showing the most severe sober binge eating and emotion regulation difficulties.

Cannabis users aware of changes in eating behavior, eating disorder clinicians, and researchers studying cannabis and appetite regulation.

All cannabis user profiles reported more binge eating while high

What the researchers found

Four profiles of cannabis users were identified: infrequent/low-risk, intense/mild-risk, high-risk coping with strong eating changes, and frequent/mild-risk. All profiles reported more binge eating while under the influence of cannabis. The high-risk coping profile had the most severe sober binge eating, eating disorder symptoms, and emotion regulation difficulties.

Why it matters

Cannabis is well known to increase appetite, but its relationship to disordered eating patterns is poorly understood. This person-centered approach reveals that not all cannabis users face the same eating-related risks, with coping-motivated users most vulnerable.

The numbers in context

435 participants (189 male). Four profiles identified. All profiles showed increased binge eating while using cannabis. "High-Risk Coping Users, Strong Eating Changes" profile had the most severe sober binge eating, eating disorder symptoms, and emotion regulation difficulties.

How the study worked

Cross-sectional study of 435 adults (189 male) recruited through Prolific who endorsed past-month cannabis use. Latent profile analysis based on cannabis use characteristics including subjective changes to appetite and hedonic food properties. Profiles were compared on binge eating, eating disorder symptoms, and emotion regulation.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional design cannot determine whether cannabis use causes binge eating or vice versa. Online convenience sample via Prolific. Self-reported data. Recreational cannabis users only, excluding medical users.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary: cross-sectional online convenience sample with self-reported data and no longitudinal follow-up.

When this study was published

Published 2026.

The bigger picture

This study bridges cannabis research and eating disorder research, two fields that rarely intersect. The finding that coping-motivated cannabis use clusters with disordered eating suggests shared vulnerability pathways that could inform screening and intervention.

Questions still open

Does cannabis directly trigger binge eating or does it lower inhibitions around pre-existing eating urges? Would treating emotion regulation reduce both cannabis coping use and binge eating? Are medical cannabis users at similar risk?

Common questions

Does cannabis cause binge eating?

All four subgroups in this study reported more binge eating symptoms while using cannabis, though the cross-sectional design cannot confirm cannabis as the cause.

Are some cannabis users more at risk for eating problems?

Yes. Users who consumed cannabis to cope with negative emotions had the most severe binge eating and eating disorder symptoms, even when sober.

Read the original research

Latent profiles of cannabis use patterns and associations with eating pathology outcomes.

Addictive behaviors, 174, 108564

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Stanley, Taylor B; Kearns, Nathan T; Smith, April R. (2026). Latent profiles of cannabis use patterns and associations with eating pathology outcomes.. Addictive behaviors, 174, 108564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108564